Composting 101: The Do’s and Don’ts of What Goes in
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Composting is a simple way to return nutrients to the Earth and reduce everyday waste. But not everything belongs in the bin. Knowing what to add—and what to avoid—keeps your compost healthy, balanced, and odor-free. This quick guide covers the do’s and don’ts so you can turn scraps into rich, natural soil with ease.
🌱 The Real Pros & Cons of Composting
🌿 Why Composting is Worth It
- ✅ Reduces waste: Turns everyday scraps into something useful instead of adding to landfills.
- 🌎 Supports the planet: Cuts down methane emissions and helps fight climate change naturally.
- 🪴 Improves soil health: Adds vital nutrients and microbes that help plants grow stronger.
- 💰 Saves money: Reduces the need to buy fertilizers or soil enhancers.
- 🌸 Promotes mindful living: Encourages eco-friendly habits and awareness of waste.
🍂 Challenges to Keep in Mind
- ⚠️ Needs attention: Composting requires balancing greens and browns to prevent odor or slow decay.
- 🐜 May attract pests: If not sealed or maintained well, bins can draw bugs or rodents.
- 🕒 Takes time: Compost doesn’t happen overnight — patience is key for good results.
- 🏡 Space requirements: Outdoor composting needs enough area for bins and turning space.
- 💧 Maintenance learning curve: Beginners need to adjust moisture and airflow until they find the right balance.
⚖️ 1. Find Your Compost Balance
Think of compost like a smoothie 🥤 — it needs the right mix!
You need both:
🟢 Greens = wet, nitrogen-rich (like veggies, fruit peels, coffee)
🟤 Browns = dry, carbon-rich (like leaves, paper, cardboard)
➡️ Aim for 2 parts brown to 1 part green.
Why:
Too much green = slimy mess 😬
Too much brown = slow breakdown 🐢
Just right = warm, earthy, happy compost 🔥🌿
📘 Learn More About Composting
🌿 External Resource
Composting Basics – EPA Guide
A beginner-friendly breakdown of what you can compost, how it works, and simple troubleshooting.
👉 https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
📙 Book Recommendation
“The Rodale Book of Composting” – Grace Gershuny & Deborah L. Martin
A classic comprehensive guide with solutions for nearly every compost issue — great for beginners & beyond.
✅ 2. The Do’s
Use these often — they feed your compost and keep it thriving 🌾
🥕 Add fruit & veggie scraps
→ They break down fast and add key nutrients.☕ Include coffee grounds & tea bags
→ They add nitrogen and balance carbon-heavy stuff.🍂 Mix in dry leaves, paper, or cardboard
→ These add carbon and keep moisture balanced.💧 Keep it moist—but not soggy
→ Microbes need water, not a swamp.🔄 Turn the pile often
→ Air = faster breakdown & no bad smells.
💡 Tip: Compost is alive. Give it air, variety, and care — it’ll do the rest.
🪱 Dive Deeper Into Vermicomposting
🔗 External Resource
Beginner’s Worm Composting Guide (NRDC)
Learn how worms break down food scraps and how to maintain a healthy bin.
👉 https://www.nrdc.org/stories/worm-composting
📖 Book Recommendation
“The Complete Compost Gardening Guide” – Barbara Pleasant & Deborah L. Martin
Great visuals and deeper explanations for mastering compost systems.
❌ 3. The Don’ts
Avoid these — they cause smells, pests, or harm your soil 🐜💀
🥩 No meat, dairy, or oily food
→ They attract pests and smell awful.💩 Skip pet waste or synthetic stuff
→ They bring bacteria or chemicals.🌾 Don’t add diseased or pesticide plants
→ They carry toxins that ruin good compost.🪵 Don’t dump too much of one thing
→ Compost loves balance — not overload.
⚠️ Note: Variety = harmony. The more mixed, the healthier your soil 🌸
🌎 Composting for Small Spaces
🔗 External Resource
Composting in Apartments – Lomi Guide
Great for beginners who don’t have outdoor space. Covers countertop composters, bokashi, and odor control.
👉 https://lomi.com/blogs/news/how-to-compost-in-an-apartment
📗 Book Recommendation
“Composting for a New Generation” – Michelle Balz
A modern, practical guide with photos and step-by-step methods — perfect for small-space composting.
🌿 For More Information
External Resource: EPA — Composting Basics — A detailed guide from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explaining what to compost, common mistakes, and how to manage a healthy compost pile.
Book Recommendation:
Let It Rot!: The Gardener’s Guide to Composting by Stu Campbell — A classic beginner-friendly book that covers composting methods, troubleshooting, and how to create nutrient-rich soil from kitchen and yard waste.
🌱 Conclusion
Composting is more than a way to reduce waste — it’s a daily act of balance with the Earth. Every peel, leaf, and coffee ground you compost becomes nourishment for new life. By knowing what belongs and what doesn’t, you’re helping nature do what it does best: renew, recycle, and restore. Stay consistent, keep it simple, and let your compost remind you that even small choices can create powerful change. 🌾
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